‘Kimi Kabuki’ Wins Directors Guild of America Film Award

LOS ANGELES — The independent short film “Kimi Kabuki,” and its director, Yoko Okumura, have received “Best Asian American Student Filmmaker” honors at the 20th Annual Directors Guild of America Student Film Awards.

The film features scenes at a porn convention and cameos by adult stars Alexa Aimes and Dillion Harper.

“For those of us who are at the emerging stages of our career, it’s such an inspiring and powerful thing to be recognized by a force like the DGA,” says Okumura. “I’m thankful that they take the time and resources to encourage us this way while we are working so hard to become the next leaders of this creative business. I can only hope this is just the beginning of my relationship with the Guild, and that years from now I can make them proud for having seen potential in me.”

“I’m so grateful for my amazing thesis team, without them I would not have been able to make this film a reality,” adds Okumura. “There were also so many kind and generous people in the adult industry who donated their time, resources and products to make this ambitious convention set come true. People watch the film and think we shot in a real convention! That’s a testament to my amazing production designer and the authenticity we got by working with real adult companies.”

According to the producer, “Kimi Kabuki” is the story of communication between a wife and her husband, who is attending an adult industry convention without his wife’s knowledge. She follows him to confront him but when her plans for a sincere conversation go terribly awry, a gentle act of kindness from a porn performer leads her to find solace in the last place she could have expected. The story, less about the negative connotations of the porn industry, broaches a topic much more serious — that of open communication, understanding, and compassion between husband and wife.

The Directors Guild of America Student Film Awards are designed to honor, encourage and bring attention to exceptional diverse directors in film schools and select universities across the country.

“It is our honor to shine a spotlight on these gifted young directors through the 20th Annual DGA Student Film Awards,” said DGA President Paris Barclay in an official statement. “The talent and promise demonstrated in their winning short films prove what the DGA has long believed — that exceptional filmmaking knows no boundaries. Congratulations to all of our awardees.”